Rash of vandalism plagues city

Holland and Lyons Mortuary has conducted funeral services in Ridgecrest and the surrounding area since 1964. The business has been the victim of approximately half-a-dozen vandalism incidents over the past few weeks, but the mortuary is not the only victim.

Holland and Lyons Mortuary has conducted funeral services in Ridgecrest and the surrounding area since 1964. The business has been the victim of approximately half-a-dozen vandalism incidents over the past few weeks, but the mortuary is not the only victim.

The Ridgecrest Police Department has responded to 10 reported incidents of vandalism since Friday, including one at James Monroe Middle School.

Many of the reported incidents were of spray-painted vehicles and other property, paint-balled windows and broken windows.

"They come in and cut the lines and steal our gas," said mortuary Arrangement Counselor Sheri Connor. "They busted one of the van windows."

She said the windows in the building were set in 1967, and the rock that was allegedly thrown is still in one of the windows, and a broken windshield is being repaired.

Connor said the damage to the mortuary is estimated between $1,000 and $1,500.

"Every time a line is cut, it has to be repaired, and that's about $200," she said. "Not to mention the amount of gas that's been stolen. We've had the tanks emptied on us. It's getting to the point where we come in almost daily and expect something."

James Monroe Middle School Principal Clara Finneran said a window at the school was paint-balled during the Christmas break.

"It's possible it is connected to a series of spray-paintings and paint-ballings that's been going on," she said.

Ridgecrest Parks and Recreation Department Director Jim Ponek said his work crews cleaned up playground equipment at the Kerr McGee Center that was allegedly vandalized last weekend.

The police department is investigating the vandalism.

"We have no information at all, no clues," said Sgt. Tony Brown. "I think all three of them are different. There's been paint balls at Monroe and spray paint at the Kerr McGee Center. The mortuary's been getting gas siphoned from their vans. Unfortunately nobody had cameras, so we don't have any clues right now."

He said the department also receives reports of cars being broken into and vandalized.

"They're looking for cars that are unlocked," Brown said. "People are leaving their stuff in them."

Anybody with information should contact the police department at (760) 499-5100.